ISSN:
0886-1544
Keywords:
microtubule transport
;
microtubules
;
2,5-hexanedione
;
glutaraldehyde
;
kinesin
;
Life and Medical Sciences
;
Cell & Developmental Biology
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Microtubules treated with the γ-diketone 2,5-hexanedione (2,5-HD) have altered assembly behavior characterized by precocious nucleation and rapid elongation. By measuring the rate of microtubule transport, we have examined the potential functional significance of this 2,5-HD-induced microtubule modification. 2,5-HD-treated microtubules were transported at only 70% of the rate of control microtubules in a simple kinesin-based motility assay on glass coverslips using video and computer enhanced differential interference contrast microscopy. Since 2,5-HD is capable of forming both pyrrole adducts and crosslinks with tubulin, the contributions of pyrrole formation and crosslinking to slowed microtubule transport were determined. 3-Acetyl-2,5-hexanedione (AcHD), a pyrrole forming, non-crosslinking congener of 2,5-HD which does not alter microtubule assembly, did not produce slowed microtubule transport as occurs with 2,5-HD. However, glutaraldehyde, a pyrrole-independent crosslinking agent which alters microtubule assembly in the same way as 2,5-HD, slowed microtubule transport. These results indicate that a 2,5-HD-induced microtubule modification, possibly a crosslink-related conformational change, produces both an alteration in the kinetics of assembly and an alteration in the microtubule-motor interaction. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Additional Material:
3 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cm.970270109
